Filling machine



J. M. HOTHERSALL ET AL FILLING MACHINE Nov. 26, 1940.

Filed Oct. 29, 1937 FROM MILK SUPPLY 5 Sheets-Sheet- 1 V TOR5 Maw? ATTORNEY5 26, 1940- J. M. HOTHERYSALL ET AL. ,222,617

FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 24% z TORS BY WM 0 ATTORNEY 1940- J. M. HOTHERSALL ET AL 5 FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Alli/4229 ATTORNEY Nov. 26, 1940.

J. M. HOTHERSALL ETAL. 2, 7

FILLING MACHINE Filed 001:. 29. 1937 5 Shee ts-Sheet s m ATTOR EiaS Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT FILLDTG MAC of New Jersey Application October 29, 1937, Serial No. 171,786

15 Claims.

An object of the invention is the provision of a machine for filling a measured charge of liquid, such as for example milk, into a fibre can of the type having a hinged closure element or flap which is preferably attached to a wall containing a filling and dispensing opening and which is adapted to close and seal the opening, after the can is filled.

Another object is the provision of a fillin machine of this character wherein a plurality of cans may be introduced into and passed through the machine in a continuous procession, each can being filled in its proper order with a predetermined charge of liquid and discharged after filling without interruption to the filling operation.

Another object is the provision in such a filling machine of devices for holding the can closure element in a position which will uncover the filling opening in the can and at the same time be out of the way while the can is being filled.

Another object is the provision in a machine of this character of improved liquid measuring and can filling instrumentalities which are designed to segregate predetermined charges of liquid from a main source of sufiily such as a reservoir, and to fill these measured charges into cans with a minimum of agitation.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment .thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a filling machine embodying the instant invention, parts of the machine beingbroken away and parts being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine, with parts broken away and parts in section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail taken substantially along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2, withparts broken away, the view also showing the upper end of a can to be filled;

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged fragmentary sections taken substantially along the respective lines 44, 55 in Fig. 2 both views showing substantially the same parts but with certain moving parts in different positions, Fig. 5 in addition also showing a can in section as being filled;

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the horizontal line 6-6 in Fig.5;

Figs. '7 and 8 are views similar to Figs. 4 and 5 showing the machine parts and a can in different positions, the views being taken substantially along the respective lines 1-1, 8-8 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially along the vertical line 9-9 in Fig.-

l; and

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the broken line Ill-l0 in Fig. 9.

An exemplary form of can which is adapted to be filled in the machine illustrated in the drawings is fully disclosed in United States Patent Number 2,085,979, issued to John M. Hothersall on July 6, 1937. Such a can is herein indicated by the letter b. The can is preferably made of fibre and is provided with fibre top and bottom end members. The top and member is formed with a filling and dispensing opening 0 which is disposed at one corner of the can. This opening is adapted to be subsequently closed and sealed, after the can is filled, by a fiap or closure element d which is hingedly secured to the top end member. The closure element is provided with a plug section e formed to fit into and fill the opening 0 when the closure element is in can closing position.

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention the drawings disclose a multiple head filling machine which is adapted to fill the cans b with milk as they move along in a continuous tank a predetermined charge of the milk andholds it confined within the filling head for delivery into a can b. 1 The cans to be filled are fed into the machine from any suitable source of supply and are advanced by a feeding device D (Figs. 1 and 2)- to meet the charged filling heads B. The advancing cans are in a vertical position with their closure elements 11 held open so as to uncover their filling openings 0. The closure elements it are held in this opened position by suitable instrumentalities throughout the entire passage of the can through the machine.

A transfer device E (Figs. 1 and 2) shifts the fed cans individually from the feeding device D into a can carrier mechanism F where the cans are received on lifter pads G disposed directly beneath the charged filling heads B. The can carrier rotates with the tank A and hence carries the cans in a circular path of travel while retaining them in vertical alignment with the filling heads. During this travel the lifter pads G raise the cans into closer association with the filling heads and the segregated charges of milk are delivered into the cans.

Near the end of the circular path of travel of the cans the lifter pads G return the filled cans to their original level in the can carrier mechanism F and they are removed from the machine for sealing. Removal of the filled cans is effected by suitable discharge instrumentalities H (Figs. 1 and 2).

The rotatable milk reservoir or tank A is provided with a cover 2| (Fig, l) and the tank is mounted on top of a vertical spindle 22 (see also Fig. 9). The lower end of the spindle is shouldered as at 23 and is carried in 'a bearing 24 formed in a machine base member 25 and also in a bearing 26 which is formed in a short column 21 supported on the base member.

The spindle 22 is continuously rotated by a ring gear 3| (see also Fig. 10) which is keyed to the spindle between the spindle shoulder 23 and the column bearing 26. The ring gear meshes with one of a pair of meshing idler gears 32 mounted on shouldered studs 33 carried in a gear housing 34 bolted on the machine base member 25. The other idler gear 32 meshes with a spur gear 35 carried on the lower end of a vertical shaft 36 journaled in a bearing 31 formed in the gear housing.

Gear 35 is driven by apinion 38 mounted on a vertical shaft 39 carried in bearings 4| formed in the gear housing 34. Shaft 39 also carries a bevel gear 42 which meshes with a bevel pinion 43 mounted on one end of a main driving shaft 44. The driving shaft is joumaled in a bearing 45 formed in a bracket 46 of the gear housing 34 and also in a bearing 41 formed in a machine frame 48 mounted on the machine base member 25. This driving shaft is rotated by any suitable means operating in time with the other moving parts of the machine and thus through the gear train just described rotates the spindle and the milk tank A mounted thereon.

The milk adapted to be filled into the cans b is received from any suitable source of supply and is fed into the tank by way of an inlet pipe 5| (Fig. 1) The inlet pipe extends down through the middle of the tank cover 2| and terminates inside the tank. The lower end of the pipe is closed off and an adjacent port 52 is provided in the side of the pipe near its closed end for delivering the milk into the tank.

The level of the milk in the tank A is preferably maintained at a predetermined height by a suitable sleeve valve 55 which surrounds the lower end of the inlet pipe 5|. The valve is attached to a float 56 supported by the milk in the tank. Thus as the milk level rises and falls ,the float moves the sleeve valve and thereby covers or uncovers the port 52 for regulating the flow of milk into the tank. A screen 51 is provided on the float to screen the milk as it enters the tank.

The can filling heads B hereinbefore mentioned are formed on the bottom of the milk tank A and are arranged in a circle and in spaced relation adjacent the periphery of the tank. Each filling head includes a tubular member 6| (Figs. 4, 5, '7 and 8) which is preferably formed integrally with the bottom of the tank A. The lower end of the member is closed by a funnel shaped cap 62 having a vertical rim 63 which fits inside of the tubular member 5|.

The cap is also provided with a cylindrical nozzle 64 having a milk delivery port or slot 65 formed in its side wall adjacent its lower end.

Delivery of milk from the nozzles 64 is controlled by nozzle valve mechanism and this mechanism for each head includes a valve plunger 88 normally disposed within the nozzle as shown in Fig. 4. The valve plunger is formed on the lower end of a vertically disposed valve rod or stem 69 which extends up through an opening 'II in the milk tank cover 2| and terminates outside of the tank.

The upper end of the valve rod is secured to an arm 12 which connects with a vertical push rod 13 (see also Fig. 1) disposed alongside the tank A. The push rod is carried in suitable bores formed in a pair ofspaced annular upper and lower flanges 14 formed on the outer side wall of the tank. .The lower end of the push rod 13 engages against an adjustable setscrew 1B which is carried in a valve actuating member 11. I

The valve actuating ber is a vertically movable elongated tubular casting which slides along and is supported on a long screw 18 which is threaded into the lower flange ll of the tank A. The valve member is guided in its vertical movement on the screw 18 by a parallel pin 19 which is also secured in the lower flange 14 of the tank.

The valve mechanism is operated by the valve actuating member I! which is adapted to be raised vertically by engagement with a can b to be filled. For this purpose the lower end of the tubular part of the valve actuating member is formed with a depending foot 8| which is disposed adjacent the nozzle 64. When not engaged by a can and just prior to the normal time for such engagement the valve actuating member is held in a slightly elevated position by a cam roller 82 which is carried by the member adjacent its upper end. This elevated position, however, is not sufficient to open the nozzle 64.

The cam roller 82 when holding the valve actuating member slightly elevated rolls over a stationary segment cam 83 disposed adjacent the periphery of the tank A. One end of the cam segment is carried on an upright 84 (Fig. 1) supported on a bracket 85 which is bolted on the machine frame 48. The other end of the cam is carried on an arm 86 which extends inwardly from and is clamped on a column 81 supported on the machine base member 25.

As the rotating tank A carries a valve actuating member 11 beyond the end of the cam 83 the roller 82 rides off the cam into space. The valve actuating member thereupon drops to its lowermost position where it is supported on the head of the screw 18 as shown in Fig. '7. The parts are in this position when a can b comes under the associated filling head B as will be hereinafter explained but first consideration will be given to the milk measuring units.

Before the nozzle valve is opened, apredetermined charge of the milk in the tank A is measured out by the measuring element C located in the filling head. The measuring element surrounds the nozzle valve rod 69 and is shaped like a bottle without any bottom, having a large lower portion 9| which merges (Figs. 4, 5, '7 and 8) into a smaller upper or neck portion 92. Both ends are open.

The lower enlarged portion of the measuring element is disposed within the filling head member 6| and is provided with outwardly extending protuberances 93 which engage the inner wall of the filling head. These centralize and guide it for vertical movement within the filling head. In lowered position of the measuring element its lower end fits within the vertical rim 63 of the filling head cap 62 (Figs. and '7). The cooperating edges of the rim and the measuring element are beveled to facilitate this fitting engagement.

The upper or neck portion 92 of the measuring I element extends up through the milk in the tank A and projects through the tank cover opening II. A dust cap 94 carried on the nozzle valve rod 69 prevents the entrance of foreign matter into the milk through the open upper end of the measuring element. Above the milk level, the neck 92 is provided with a pair of liquid return outlets or slots 96 which are disposed adjacent and just beneath asplash guard 91 carried on the neck.

Outside of and above the tank A, the neck-portion of the measuring element carries an inverted cup shaped shield 98 for protecting the cover opening 'II against entrance of foreign matter into the milk. The shield also serves as a support for the upper end of the measuring element.

Shield 98 is secured to the upper end of a shouldered rod IOI (see also Fig. 1) carried in bores I02 provided in the upper and lower flanges 14 of the tank A. The rod is threaded into a the upright 85 while the opposite end is supported on the column 81.

As a filling head B comes adjacent the cam I08 in its travel around the center of the machine the camroller I01 rides up on the cam and the block I04 with its rod IN is thereby lifted. This action raises the measuring element Within the filling head and withdraws its lower end from the rim 63 of the filling head cap 62. Mill? in the tank A and particularly in the filling head member 6I thereupon flows into the measuring element through its open bottom end. the milk level therein rising into the neck portion of the measuring element to the level of the milk in the tank. This level it will be remembered is below the bottom of the slots 96 in the neck of the measuring element.

The distance the measuring element rises above the rim 63 of the filling head cap 62 may be adjusted so as to obtain slower or faster fillin action. This adjustment is effected by turning therod MI in its block I04, a square head I09 (Fig. 4) being formed on the lower end of the.

rod to permit easy manipulationby a wrench.

As the rotating tank A carries the filling head along the entire length of the cam I08, the roller I01 leaving the cam end rides off into space and the measuring element C thereupon 'falls down within the filling head. The lower end'of the falling measuring element re-seats itself within the rim 63 of the filling head cap 62 and is brought to restin its predetermined lowermost position by engaging an adjustable stop screw III (Fig. 7).

The stop screw I I I for each head is carried in a lug H2 formed on the upper flange I4 of the tank A. A stop lug H3 is an integral part of the shield 98 and projects outside of the tank wall where it can engage against the stop screw III as already described. By adjusting the lowermost position of the measuring element as determined by the position of the top of the stop screw, the volume of the measuring element may be readily and accurately controlled so that a specific charge of milk may be confined within it. This will become more apparent as the de-' scription proceeds.

Re-seating of the measuring element in its lowered position cuts off communication between the tank and the inside of the element and thus traps a quantity of milk in the measuring element. This re-seating also forces a portion of the trapped milk up into the neck and up beyond the slots 96. Hence overflow or excess milk gushes out through the slots (Fig. 4) and is directed back into the tank by the splash guard 91.

When this overflow action ceases, the milk level in the measuring element comes to rest at the bottoms of the slots 96. The bottoms of these slots are beveled as shown to provide a sharp cut-off. A predetermined charge of milk thus remains trappedin the measuring element. It is this measured charge of milk which goes into a can b by way of the nozzle 64. It is at this time in the cycle of movement of the filling head B under consideration that a can b is introduced into the machine by the can feeding device D and this phase of the can movement will now be considered.

The can feeding device D (Figs. 1 and 2) comprises a continuously rotating feed-in turret I2I which is mounted on a vertical shaft I22 carried in suitable bearings formed in the machine frame 48 and also in the bracket 85. Shaft I22 is rotated by any suitable means operating in time with the other moving parts of the machine. I

The feed-in turret I2I is provided with spaced pockets I26 which receive and move the cans in timed relation toward the charged filling heads B. During this feeding movement the cans are supported on a horizontal table portion I21 of the machine frame 48. The moving cans are retained in the turret pockets I26 by a curved guide rail I28 which is secured to the top of the table portion I21. A similar guide rail I29 is parallel to the rail I28 but is above the cans where it extends along the path of travel of the open closure elements or flaps d of the moving cans. This upper guide rail keeps the flaps in opened position. Upper guide rail I29 is bolted to the bracket 85. Y

The guide rails I28, I29 terminate adjacent the can transfer mechanism E (Figs. 1 and 2) which operates at the proper time to remove the cans from the feed-in turret I2I and to place them in the can carrier mechanism F. This can transfer is effected by a pair of upper and lower arms I32, I33 which are disposed respectively above and below the turret I2I.

Upper arm I32 is mounted on a short pin I34 held in the bracket 85. The lower arm I33 is mounted on a shaft I35 which is on the same axial center as the pin I34. Shaft I35 is carried in a bearing formed in the table portion I21 of the frame 48. This shaft is rocked byany suitable means operating in time with the other moving parts of the machine. The arms are connected by a tie rod I36 and hence move in unison when the shaft I35 is rocked.

When a fed can b reaches the ends of the guide rails I28, I29 the transfer arms I32, I33 move in behind the can and push it out of its rotating turret pocket I26. As the can passes the exit ends of the guide rails I28, I29 it comes into the entrance end of a similar guide rail I38. Rail I38 is mounted on uprights I39 adjacent to and just outside of the can carrier mechanism F. These three guide rails cooperate in guiding the can while holding its closure element d open during the transfer.

The filling head B which contains the measured charge of milk which is to go into that particular can now passes in position to receive the can. The foot 8| on the valve actuating member 11 (Fig. 4) slips in front of the open can closure element (1 as the element leaves the end of the guide rail I29 (see Fig. l) and continues to hold the can closure element open. The foot 8| remains in such position and continues to hold the closure element open during travel of the can in the can carrier F.

A can I) thus transferred into the can carrier mechanism F is received in one of a plurality of spaced pockets I42 of a carrier turret I43 (Figs. 1, 2 and 9). This turret is formed on the spindle 22 below the milk tank A and hence is rotated with the tank. The turret pockets are in vertical alignment with the filling heads B and a can placed into one of these pockets is in such a position that its filling opening is in direct vertical alignment with the filling head nozzle 64.

While in the can carrier mechanism F the can b is supported on the lifter pad G associated with that filling head. There is one of these pads located under each of the pockets I42 of the turret I43. Each lifter pad is formed on top of a stem I45 carried in a wheel I46 formed integrally with the ring gear 3| on the spindle 22. At its lower end each stem I45 carries a cam roller I41 which during a portion of the rotation of the spindle passes over a stationary segment' cam I48. The cam is bolted to a bracket I49 formed integrally with the short column 21.

As soon as the moving can is clear of the transfer mechanism E it is lifted vertically in its turret pocket I42 by the raising of its lifter pad G. This is effected by the cam roller I41 riding up on the cam I48. The rising can envelops the lower end of the filling head nozzle 64, the latter entering the can through its filling opening 0 as shown in Fig. 5. In this elevated position of the can the milk delivery slot 65 of the nozzle is just inside the can and is just under its top end member.

During this lifting action of the can its top end member engages against the bottom of the foot ll of the nozzle valve actuating mechanism and raises the parts connecting with the valve plunger' 68. The closure element d still resting against the side of the foot 8I slides up alongside.

The plunger 68 is thereby withdrawn from the nozzle and the segregated charge of milk confined in the measuring element C flows out through the nozzle slot 65 and into the can. The slot 65 is'so formed as to direct the stream of milk outwardly in a fan shape (Fig. 6) and,

against the sides of the can. This overcomes any tendency of the milk to foam. The measured charge of milk is just sufficient to properly fill the can.

It takes some time to complete the fillingof the can and the entire action'takes place while the can moves along its circular path of travel around the spindle 22 as a center. This filling operation in fact consumes the greater part of the machine cycle. The closure element d of the can remains in contact with the foot 8| so that it is held away from the nozzle. The can also remains in its elevated position on the lifter pad G, the latter being held up by the cam I48.

By the time the can is completely filled, i. e., when the contents of the measuring element have been fully delivered into the can, the can is near the end of its circular path of travel. The filled can is now lowered to its original'position. This withdraws the nozzle from the can filling opening 0 (see Fig. 7).

Lowering of the filled can is effected by the lifter pad cam roller I4'I riding off the end of the cam I48. The foot 8| of the nozzle valve actuating mechanism still holding the can closure element open, follows the can in its descent and the valve plunger 68 re-seats into the nozzle 64. This closes the nozzle. The valve rod 69 during this descent is maintained in vertical alignment by an enlarged portion I50 which slides on the inside of the neck 92 of the measuring element 0.

Following this can descent in the cycle of the machine, the cam roller 82 passes onto the cam 83 and the cam action thereupon raises the foot 8| slightly above the top end member of the can so that it clears the can top (see Fig. 8). This raising of the foot BI is not enough to open the nozzle 64 nor to disengage the foot from its action in holding the can closure element open. Simultaneously the cam roller I 01 again engages the cam I08 and this cooperation raises the measuring element C within its filling head B (see Fig. 8) so that a succeeding charge of milk for a subsequent can flows into the element. It is while the cams 83, I08 are thus holding their cooperating machine' arts that the filled can is discharged from the can carrier mechanism F by the instrum ent'alitie's H.

The can discharge instrumentalities H (Figs. 1 and 2) include a star wheel I52 which is mounted on the constantly rotating vertical shaft 36 of the spindle driving mechanism. The star wheel is formed with spaced pockets I53 and also carries prongs I54. Further, the star wheel is partially surrounded by a concentric guide rail I55 which is bolted to the table portion I21 of the machine frame 48.. The inner end of the guide rail extends across the path of travel of the filled cans in the can carrier turret I43.

As a filled can in the can carrier turret I43 comes abreast of the star wheel I52, 9. prong I54 of the wheel engages behind the can and sweeps it against and along the inner end of the guide rail I 55. This removesthe can from its turret pocket I42 and from its lifter pad G and inserts it into a pocket I53 of the star wheel. The can its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. In a machine for filling liquid into containers, the combination of a filling head for holding a filling liquid, a liquid measuring element located in said filling head and movable into and out of sealing engagement therewith, means for moving said measuring element away from and out of sealing engagement with said head to receive an amount of liquid therefrom in excess of a predetermined filling charge, and then for moving said element towards said head to segregate said received liquid within said element while returning excess liquid to said head, said means being further operative to move said measuring element into sealing engagement with said head to confine therebetween said predetermined. filling charge after excess liquid has been returned to said head, preparatory to filling said charge into a said container.

2. In a machine for filling liquid into containers, the combination of a rotary filling head for holding a filling liquid, means for rotating said head, a liquid measuring element located in said filling head and movable into and out of sealing engagement therewith, means actuated by the rotation of said filling head for moving said measuring element away from and out of sealing engagement with said head to receive an amount of liquid therefrom in excess of a predetermined filling charge and then for moving said element towards said head to segregate said received liquid within said element while returning excess liquid to said head, said means being further operative to move said measuring element into sealing engagement with said head to confine therebetween said predetermined filling charge after excess liquid has been returned to said head, preparatory to filling said charge into a said container.

3. In a machine for filling liquid into containers, the combination of a rotary filling head for holding a filling liquid, means for rotating said head, a liquid measuring element located in said filling head and movable into and out of sealing engagement therewith, means actuated by the rotation of said filling head for moving said measuring element away from and out of sealing engagement with said head to receive an amount of liquid therefrom in excess of a predetermined filling charge and then for moving said element towards said head to segregate said received liquid within said element while returning excess liquid to said head, said means being further operative to move said measuring element into sealing engagement with said head to confine therebetween said predetermined filling charge after excess liquid has been returned to said head, preparatory to filling said charge into a said container, means for vertically moving a said container, and means engageable with and actuated by said moving container for filling said measured charge of liquid thereinto.

4. In a machine for filling liquid into containers, the combination of a filling head for holding a filling liquid, a liquid measuring element located in said filling head and movable into and out of sealing engagement therewith, means for moving said measuring element away from and out of sealing engagement with said head to receive an amount of liquid therefrom in excess of a predetermined filling charge, and

. then for moving said element towards said head to segregate said received liquid within said element while returning excess liquid to said head, said means being further operative to move said measuringelel'nent into sealing engagement with said head to confine therebetween said predetermined filling charge after excess liquid has been returned to said head, preparatory to filling said charge into a said container, and means for regulating the non-sealing position of said measuring element relative to said filling head to control the rate of flow of liquid flowing thereinto from said head.

5, In a machine for filling liquid into containers, the combination of a rotary filling head for holding a filling liquid, means for rotating said head, a liquid measuring element located in said filling head-and movable into and out of sealing engagement therewith, means actuated by the rotation of said filling head for moving said measuring element away from and out of sealing engagement with said head to receive an amount of liquid therefrom in excess of a predetermined filling charge and then for moving said element towards said head to segregate said received liquid within said element while returning excess liquid to said head, said means being further operative to move said measuring element into sealing engagement with said head into a said container, and adjustable stop devices v for regulating the measuring position of said element relative to said filling head to control the amount of said predetermined measured filling charge.

6. In a machine for filling liquid into con 7 tainers, the combination of a rotary filling head for holding a filling liquid, means for rotating said head, a liquid measuring element located in said filling head and movable into and out of sealing engagement therewith, means actuated by the rotation of said filling head for moving said measuring element away from and out of sealing engagement with said head to receive an amount of liquid therefrom in excess of a predetermined filling charge and then for moving said element towards said head to segregate said received liquid within said element while returning excess liquid to said head, said means being further operative to move said measuring element into sealing engagement with said head 7. In a machine for filling liquid into containers, the combination of a rotary filling head for holding a filling liquid, means for rotating said head, a liquid measuring element located in said filling head and movable into and out of sealing engagement therewith, means actuated by the rotation of said filling head for moving said measuring element away from and out of sealing engagement with said head to receive an amount of liquid therefrom in excess of a predetermined filling charge and then for moving said element towards said head to segregate said received liquid within said element while returning excess liquid tosaid head, said means being further operative to move said measuring element into sealing engagement with said head to confine therebetween said predetermined filling charge after excess liquid has been returned tosaid head, preparatory to-filling said charge into of liquid from said element into a container to be filled, and valve means actuated by vertical movement of an empty container for opening said nozzle.

8. In a machine for filling liquid into containers, the combination of a rotary filling head for holding a filling liquid, means for rotating said head, a liquid measuring element located in said filling head and movable into and out of sealing engagement therewith, means actuated by the rotation of said filling head for moving said measuring element away from and out of sealing engagement with said head to receive an amount of liquid therefrom in excess of a predetermined filling charge and then for moving said element towards said head to segregate said received liquid within said element while returning excess liquid to said head, said means being further operative to move said measuring element into sealing engagement with said head to confine therebetween said predetermined filling charge after excess liquid has been'returned to said head preparatory to filling said charge into a said container, a nozzle on said filling head for delivering the predetermined measured charge of liquid from said element into a container to be filled, valve means in said filling head for opening and closing said nozzle, and devices operable by vertical movement of said container for actuating said valve means.

9. In a machine for filling liquid into containers, the combination of a rotary filling head for holding a filling liquid, means for rotating said head, a liquid measuring element disposed in said filling head and having a liquid inlet opening and a liquid return outlet, and means actuated by the rotation of said filling head for successively moving said measuring element into and out of engagement with said head for respectively sealing and opening said liquid inlet, said measuring element when out of engagement with said head receiving liquid therefrom through said inlet opening and when in sealing engagement with said head first segregating a quantity of liquid in excess of a predetermined filling charge and then confining said charge within the element after having returned excess liquid to said filling head through said return outlet.

10. In a machine for filling liquid into containers, the combination of a rotary filling head for holding a filling liquid, means for rotating said head, a liquid measuring element disposed iri said filling head and having a liquid inlet opening in the bottom of said element and a liquid return outlet in the upper portion thereof, and means actuated by the rotation of said filling head for successively moving said measuring element on its vertical axis into and out of engagement with said head for respectively sealing and opening said liquid inlet, said measuring element when out of engagement with said head, receiving liquid therefrom through said inlet opening, and when in. sealing engagement with said-head, firstv segregating a quantity of liquid in excess of a predetermined filling charge and then confining said charge within the element after having returned excess liquid to said filling head through said return outlet.

11. In a machine for filling liquid into containers, the combination of a rotary filling head for holding a filling liquid, means for rotating said v head, a bottle shaped liquid measuring element a said container, a nozzle'on said filling head for delivering thepredetermined measured charge disposed in said filling head and having an enlarged body portion open at one end to provide a liquid inlet opening and a restricted neck portion provided with a liquid outlet opening, and means actuated by the rotation of said filling head for successively moving said measuring element into and out of engagement with said head for respectively sealing and opening said liquid inlet, said measuring element when out of engagement with said head, receiving liquid therefrom through said enlarged inlet opening and when in sealing engagement with said head first isolating a quantity of liquid in excess of a predetermined filling, charge and then confining said charge within the element after having forced liquid into said restricted neck portion of said element to return excess liquid to said filling head through said liquid outlet opening.

12. In a machine for filling liquids into containers, the combination of a filling head for holding a liquid, a measuring element in said filling head, means for moving said measuring element into and out of sealing engagement with said filling head for successively measuring predetermined charges of liquid, means for advancing a container into filling position relative to said filling head, means for elevating said container relative to said filling head, and means actuated by the elevating of said container for filling a said measured charge of liquid thereinto.

while said measuring element is in sealing engagement with said filling head.

13.'In a machine for filling liquids into containers having filling openings and attached closure elements, the combination of a filling head for holding a liquid, a measuring element in said filling head for measuring a predetermined charge of liquid, valve means associated with said filling head for delivering said charge of liquid into a container, valve actuating devices operable by the container, a lifter pad for raising said container into association with said filling head, means for advancing and placing said container onto said lifter pad, and devices for holding the container closure element open while being advanced and placed on said lifter pad.

14. In a machine for filling liquids into containers having attached closure elements, the combination of a filling head for holding a liquid, a measuring element in said filling head for measuring a predetermined charge of liquid, means for advancing a container into filling position relative to said filling head, means for elevating said container relative to the filling head, meansactuated by the elevation of said container for filling said measured charge of liquid there-.-

into, and devices for/holding the container closure element open while being advanced an while being filled.

15. In a machine for filling liquids into containers having filling openings and attached closure elements, the combination of a filling head for holding a liquid, a measuring element in said filling head for measuring a predetermined charge of liquid, valve means associated with said filling head for delivering said charge of liquid into a container, valve actuating devices operable by the container, a lifter pad for raising said container into association with said filling head,

means for advancing and placing said container onto said lifter pad, devices for holding the container closure element open while being advanced and placed on said lifter pad, and a member cooperating with said valve actuating means and movable with said container for holding the container closure element open and out of the way of said filling head while the container is moved into and out of filling position and also during the filling of the container.

JOHN M. HOI'HERSAIL. WILLIAM PECHY. 

